Comments on: Rick Anderson and Minor League Coaches

By: Justin Morneau Game Worn Jersey Owner

Justin Morneau Game Worn Jersey Owner — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:04:10 +0000

G’day! As an Australia-based Twins fan, I found your blog on google and read a few of your other Twins posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:00:54 +0000

I really didn’t think this many people would agree with me. Its good to know I’m not taking crazy pills.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:38:07 +0000

Anderson = better coach than Gardenhire

By: sirsean

sirsean — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:30:10 +0000

Anderson is constantly harping on the sinker for all the pitchers, regardless of whether or not they know how to throw it or if it will fit into their repertoire.

And I don't know if Anderson had anything to do with Guerra's mechanics change -- the Twins organization may have forced that on him because they wanted to avoid another Liriano-esque flameout based on a too-violent delivery. But it does worry me that Guerra's down to an 85 MPH fastball.

I probably wouldn't use Nakamura as an example, given the difference between the AL and the NPB. But if someone's doing great in Japan, they're PROBABLY good enough to play in the majors.

By: thrylos98

thrylos98 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:11:27 +0000

I’ve been saying all along that Andy is an average at best pitching coach. In addition to not being able to turn lost causes around, there have been way too many injuries to young Twins’ pitchers during his tenure some of them severe (Mays, Crain, Liriano, Neshek, Balfour, Reyes, Perkins et al). In addition several pitchers who were considered busts with the Twins were able to turn it around with other organizations. Probably the best example here (but the least known) is Mike Nakamura (the Ausie/Japanese sidearmer) who after he left the Twins became the best closer in Japan putting Joe Nathan-type of numbers. What Andy does well is to click the pitch count clicker and get pitchers out after 100… I never heard of a particular new pitch being taught to pitchers, just mechanics changes which do not always work (as Deolis Guerra)

By: sirsean

sirsean — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:42:16 +0000

The one good thing I've ever heard of Joe Vavra doing was working with Morneau in 2005 when Vavra was the hitting coach at AAA. Vavra took Morneau's strengths and weaknesses in stride and did not attempt to ignore them; rather, he worked with Morneau to build confidence and strength and adjust his swing to emphasize his strengths. Which is what a hitting coach should do.

Morneau was so pleased by the work Vavra had done with him that he recommended Vavra be promoted to the big club. That recommendation is why he's here. And he has apparently regressed to the Anderson method.

But we're not here to talk about Vavra. I don't think anyone overrates him.

By: FunBobby

FunBobby — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:30:28 +0000

Yes, yes we will.

By: Schulte

Schulte — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:49:09 +0000

Next you’ll be saying that Joe Vavra teaches hitters to hit a certain way and that way sometimes conflicts with a hitter’s natural ability to hit…then you’ll say it’s a systemic problem of the Twins organization that holds back players from becoming great.

By: sirsean

sirsean — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:51:02 +0000

Off the top of my head I can't think of any free agent "project" that worked. At all. We do always bring in these guys, and are told that The Great Rick Anderson will work on them and make them AMAZING AT BASEBALL. But, you know, it never happens. And every single time, it's the pitcher's fault. At what point is "Andy" no longer The Great Rick Anderson, and merely Rick Anderson, the pitching coach.

Garza and Lohse had great arms and needed some guidance to turn them into good pitchers. Anderson said "You know what you need? A sinker!" Arguing with The Great Rick Anderson is a futile effort, of course; people will simply call you a headcase and a malcontent, even though you're not a sinkerball pitcher and the pitching coach is supposed to guide you toward success while considering who you are as a pitcher, not treat you exactly the same as he treats everyone else -- which just happens to be his own unwavering opinion on the one and only type of pitcher that can possibly exist.

And, um, notice what Dave Duncan did with Kyle Lohse almost immediately upon getting his hands on him. And note that Santana's success was due to RADKE teaching him a changeup that he worked on with the Cliburns during a rehab stint after an injury.

Rick Anderson has exactly zero responsibility for any of the pitchers currently on the roster. Isn't it about time for him to adapt to that?